A statement issued last evening by Executive Chairman of the Water and Sewerage Corporation (WSC) Adrian Gibson has left critical questions unanswered, and raised new questions in the controversy surrounding the award of contracts by the corporation.

Public procurement under the Minnis administration has been a controversial topic in recent months, with the leak of WSC documents to the media adding fresh fuel to an already fiery debate about who has benefitted from contracts this term, and the process by which contracts have been sought and awarded.

The award of WSC contracts highlighted in documents obtained by the media last week was mired in controversy not only because of the value of the contracts for the scope of work, but the alleged relationship between Gibson and an attorney involved with one of WSC’s successful bidders – Elite Maintenance Incorporated Limited.

Last Friday, Eyewitness News reported that Gibson stated the contracts “were presented to and approved by board decisions”.

Prime Minister Dr. Hubert Minnis did not respond when questioned Saturday night on the matter – a reaction regarding the people’s business that has been the hallmark of his term, notwithstanding Minnis’ discordant claims of transparent and accountable governance.

Bahamians typically allow political support to overshadow their duty to hold government accountable for its stewardship, but so long as government refuses to be transparent and accountable with the people’s business, the people’s business is not in good or safe hands.

Regard being had to Gibson’s statement, the Bahamian people have the right to know whether the corporation’s executive chairman used his position to have high-value contracts awarded to a company with whom his alleged fiancé was affiliated.

The Bahamian people have the right to know whether a registered officer of Elite Maintenance Incorporated Limited is related to Gibson.

The Bahamian people must also be told the identity of the beneficial owner(s) of Elite Maintenance, given that both Gibson and the WSC’s general manager Elwood Donaldson in separate statements, indicated that an attorney – identified by Donaldson as Alexandria Mackey – was Elite Maintenance’s attorney of record.

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